Pushbutton handle protection devices



Dec. 16, 1969 J. OUSSET 3,484,128

PUSHBUTTON HANDLE PROTECTION DEVICES Filed Jan. 8, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1AVON/Q6 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 8, 1968 FEGA I/ VE/VWR 377662 455ILS'ET US. Cl. 292-3363 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Protectiondevice associated with a pushbutton handle controlling the lock of avehicle, characterised by the provision on the body panel of aring-shaped element concentric to said pushbutton and formed withlateral extensions having a height approximating that of said pushbuttonin the vicinity thereof and decreasing gradually to Zero towards theirouter ends.

The invention relates to a protection device associated with pushbuttonhandles of automotive Vehicle locks. It is known that the pushbutton foractuating the locks of certain motor cars project generally from theouter surface of the body or door panel on which it is mounted thusconstituting a projection likely to strike and hurt any person withinreach of this pushbutton. It is the essential object of this inventionto avoid this drawback by pro viding a protection device for thepushbutton handles of automotive locks which consists primarily of aring-shaped element adapted to be secured to the body panelconcentrically to the pushbutton proper and provided with at least twolateral inclined extensions of a height approximating that of thepushbutton and directed the one forwards and the other backwards,whereby in case of accidental contact in one or the other direction theywill produce a sliding contact avoiding any direct engagement with thepushbutton.

Other features and advantages of this invention will appear as thefollowing description proceeds with reference to the accompanyingdrawings illustrating diagrammatically by way of example typical formsof embodiment of the device constituting the subject-matter thereof. Inthe drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the position of the protectiondevice in relation to the pushbutton and to the thumb of a users handactuating same;

FIGURE 2 is a view corresponding to FIGURE 1 but showing only thepushbutton (in phantom lines) with its protection device (in thicklines) on a larger scale;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of the device, and

FIGURES 4 to 6 inclusive illustrate various possible forms of embodimentof the protection device of this invention.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIGURES l to 3 itwill be seen that the reference numeral 1 designates a fragment of adoor panel of automotive vehicle, 2 being a handle-forming bridge orbar, 3 the cavity usually pressed in the door panel to permit thepassage of the hand 4, the pushbutton for controlling the door lock (notillustrated) being shown at and the nited States Patent 0 protectiondevice therefore at 6. This device 6 may be made of flexible, semi-rigidor rigid material, according to cases, and comprises a ring-shapedelement 7 adapted to --be mounted concentrically to the pushbutton 5,and two lateral opposite extensions 8 and 9 which in this example arevertically offset on either side of a horizontal axis 10 coincident witha diameter of said ring 7. This oifset arrangement of extensions 8 and 9facilitates theinsertion of the thumb acting obliquely when depressingthe pushbutton, as shown in FIGURE 1.

The extensions 8 and 9 have a height corresponding substantially to thatof the projecting portion of pushbutton 5 adjacent the ring 7, thisheight decreasing gradually towards their outer ends.

In the examples illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 3 the rear extension 9 isshorter than the opposite extension 8 for reasons of body styling.

Of course, this invention should not be construed as being limited bythe specific example described herein above, for other forms ofembodiment can be contemplated without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. Thus, solid or hollow devices 6 may be providedas a function of the desired flexibility and also of the stiffness ofthe material used in their manufacture.

Thus, FIGURE 4 illustrates diagrammatically a device consisting mainlyof a base and of flexible inclined blades 11; FIGURE 5 shows a deviceformed with flexible, riblike flanges 12, and FIGURE 6 shows a deviceformed with an upper groove 13.

Of course, the material used for manufacturing this device may becoloured throughout or transparent to impart the appearance of alacquered or glossy metal thereto.

Iclaim:

1. A protection device for the pushbutton portion of a door lock for thedoor handles of automobiles, said handle comprising a substantiallyhorizontally disposed handlebar fixedly mounted on the door and apushbutton mounted in the door vertically spaced from and laterallydisplaced with respect to said handlebar, said device comprising aring-shaped element secured to said door concentrically to thepushbutton proper, at least two lateral inclined extensions parallel tosaid handlebar formed on said element the height of which adjacent thepushbutton is substantially equal thereto and which taper outwardlytowards the door.

2. A protection device according to claim 1 in which said two lateralinclined extensions are vertically ofiset from each other on either sideof a horizontal axis coincident with a diameter of said ring-shapedelement whereby when said handlebar is grasped by a users hand theoblique passage of the thumb of the hand is facilitated, due to saidlateral vertical ofiset.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,346,656 4/ 1944 Berghoif292-192 2,460,607 2/ 1949 Sullivan 292-1 2,560,477 7/1951 Roethel292-3363 2,604,346 7/1952 Allen 292-3363 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, PrimaryExaminer E. J. MCCARTHY, Assistant Examiner

